The Windsor Knot by S.J. Bennett (Review by D.M. Lenseth)

Rating: 3 stars

Certainly an interesting time in our lives to be reading a book centered on the royal family. Between the recent passing of Prince Phillip, to the tell-all interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. There was a lot on my mind in the present when I dove into “The Windsor Know” by S.J. Bennett, which is set just a few years in the past.

At its heart, it’s a story about Queen Elizabeth who is seen by all, but she sees all. She’s someone who lives a world apart from others because of her position, which makes her ideally placed to observe what others don’t. A good recipe for a first-rate detective, right? But also because of her position she can’t really pound the pavement tracking down leads, that’s what her assistant private secretary, Rozie, is for. So it’s Rozie and eventually another trusted retired member of the Royal Household who track down leads and conduct interviews after the murder of a talented musician at Windsor Castle.

One critique I have for the book is that it took me awhile to get into it. I found it to be slow, at about 100 pages… it moves into the real meat of the story and then picks up the pace at around 200 pages. Something I love about a really great mystery novel is the breadcrumbs that an author leaves along the way that all make sense at the end. I didn’t feel like this mystery had that, while it was all tied up quite prettily at its conclusion.

I gave this novel 3 out of 5 stars because I love a good story about the royals. And I love when Prince Phillip’s curmudgeonly, yet charming character is able to shine through. Overall, a cute way to insert a beloved monarch into a murder mystery.